Encuesta sobre el uso de Guías de Práctica Clínica en cardiólogos de Latinoamérica;
Survey on Clinical Practice Guidelines Use among Latin American Cardiologists.

IntroducciónNo obstante el amplio consenso acerca de los beneficios devenidos de la aplicación de Guías de Práctica Clínica (GPC) en la atención de pacientes y de su adopción por cada vez más países, incluso de Latinoamérica, su traslación a la práctica se encuentra por debajo de lo esperado. La falla en la implementación de las GPC está ligada a varios factores, entre los cuales se encuentra la falta de adherencia de los médicos.ObjetivosEstimar la tasa de uso de Guías de Práctica Clínica (GPC) y conocer las objeciones a ellas entre cardiólogos latinoamericanos.Material y métodosSe realizó una encuesta anónima por correo electrónico en una muestra aleatoria del 10% de cardiólogos hispanohablantes de la Sociedad Interamericana de Cardiología. Se relevaron datos demográficos, uso de GPC y objeciones respecto de ellas. Entre los supuestos del estudio se consideró que la mayoría respondería positivamente ante la pregunta del uso de GPC; en cambio, se supuso que también manifestarían críticas y limitaciones de las GPC si se les indujera a ello.Resumen completo en pdf

BackgroundThere is a broad consensus about the benefits of applyingClinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) as a standard of careand most countries, even in Latin America; however, theapplicability of CPGs to medical practice is lower than expected.The failure in the implementation of CPGs is dueto several factors, including physicians’ lack of adherence.ObjectivesTo estimate the utilization rate of CPGs and to know theobjections of Latin American cardiologists against them.Material and MethodsWe conducted an anonymous email survey among 10% of theSpanish-speaking members of the Interamerican Societyof Cardiology that were randomly selected. The questionsincluded demographic data, use of CPGs and objections touse them. We assumed that most of the respondents wouldmake a positive answer when asked about the use CPGs;yet, we also assumed that they would criticize and commentthe limitations of CPGs if they were induced to do so.ResultsThe survey was responded by 952 of the 1197 cardiologistsselected. The utilization rate of CPGs was 91.5%; 75.8%(660/871) used foreign and local guidelines, while 24.2%only used local CPGs. 58.2% of survey respondents had atleast one objection to the quality or usefulness of CPGs. Themost common complaints were that the guidelines proposedthe use of resources that were not always available (11.5%),recommended impractical strategies due to lack of medicalcoverage (9.2%) and did not represent the patients in realpractice (7.7%). Among those who did not use CPGs, 22.2%did not know the last guidelines published.ConclusionsAlthough the utilization of CPGs is high, the objectionsabout their usefulness constitute a barrier to improve theadherence of cardiologists to use them. These data shouldbe considered to improve the production, diffusion andimplementation of CPGs in Latin America.